Time to Vote!

There are two days which I am looking forward to with great anticipation: 1) the day the Lord returns! And 2) the day after Election Day! I would be fine with the Lord returning first, but I’m really ready for the political robo-calls, junk mail and TV and radio ads to end!

After months of mud-slinging, name calling, and often flat out lies, most candidates have proven to be men and women short on integrity. By the time Election Day arrives, many citizens decide that no one is worthy of being elected and therefore stay home from the polls.

Let me encourage you – don’t be that person! It is every citizen’s responsibility to vote! And, I think that is especially true of God’s people. Going all the way back to Moses, before the Israelites entered the Promised Land, Moses gave instructions on how to select a king:

“You are about to enter the land the Lord you God is giving you. When you take it over and settle there, you may think, ‘We should select a king to rule over us like the other nations around us.’ If this happens, be sure to select as king the man the Lord your God chooses.” – Deuteronomy 17:14-15 NLT

We have the same challenge, dare I say command, today – to select leaders whom the Lord chooses. How do we do that? By studying the facts! We must wade through negativity, slander, hatefulness and muck in hopes of finding truth; in hopes of finding God’s man or woman.

It isn’t an easy search, but when we find truth, we must vote. We all have a voice; however, our voice cannot be heard if we don’t speak. We speak at the voting booth. And whoever is elected, we must recognize that God is ultimately in control.

Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God… They are God’s servants… give respect and honor to those who are in authority.” – Romans 13:1-7 NLT

God has a plan that will culminate in the reign of Jesus, the King of kings and Lord of lords, and until then, we get who we elect! And we must submit to whomever that is, trusting God is ultimately the One in control. God uses our votes to accomplish His will and to set the scene for the return of the Lord Jesus.

We also have to live with each other after the elections. As a supporter of a candidate are you difficult to be around? Are your status updates gracious to people who have a different perspective than yours? Do you refer to people who disagree with you as “stupid” or “ignorant”?

“Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.” – Ephesians 4:2-3 NLT

It is the responsibility of Christians to participate in the election of those who represent us in government. It is also our responsibility to represent the God whom we serve. Unless the Lord Jesus Christ returns this weekend, I’ll see you at the polls on Tuesday!